In today’s highly polarized political climate, it’s rare to see members of opposite parties openly praise each other.
But Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat, recently earned some unexpected kudos from former President Donald Trump—and it seems to have brought a little pride to his family.
Fetterman Stands Up for ICE and Earns Trump’s Approval
Fetterman has been vocal against Democrats who want to dismantle Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or treat its agents harshly.
He’s called attacks on ICE officers “absolutely unacceptable,” calling them “terrible” and “awful.”
When Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Trump about Fetterman’s stance, the former president didn’t hesitate to agree.
“The new John Fetterman is exactly what you said — he’s right, he’s right,” Trump said during a White House meeting, adding, “We have to protect our police officers, and we will.”
Making His Family Proud with Bipartisan Praise
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail, Fetterman said that Trump’s praise “probably made my parents proud,” noting that his family are big Fox News viewers and lean Republican.
This kind of bipartisan respect isn’t new for Fetterman.
An Unlikely Meeting at Mar-a-Lago
Fetterman was the only Democrat invited by Trump to Mar-a-Lago during the 2020 presidential transition.
Reflecting on the meeting, Fetterman described it as “a positive experience” and said Trump was “kind” and “cordial.”
He emphasized that the meeting was genuine, not staged for social media, and lasted over an hour.
Trump Sees Fetterman as a ‘Commonsense Person’
Trump’s own take on Fetterman is that he’s “not liberal or conservative,” but simply “a commonsense person.”
He shared this with the Washington Examiner, showing a surprising admiration for the senator’s pragmatic approach.
Shared Views on Key Issues
Despite their political differences, the two seem to share opinions on some big issues.
Fetterman supported Trump’s push for more border security funding and even called for strikes against Iran before Trump ordered recent military action.
Their views also align on support for Israel.
Bridging the Party Divide in the Senate
Fetterman’s bipartisan spirit extends to other areas.
Recently, he introduced Republican strategist Jeff Bartos during his Senate confirmation hearing for the role of U.S. Representative to the United Nations for Management and Reform.
Taking to social media, Fetterman expressed pride in supporting Bartos, hoping his Democratic colleagues would set politics aside to back the nomination.
“Jeff is a native of PA, a good friend, and has the skills and determination to bring integrity back to the United Nations,” Fetterman wrote on X.
A Refreshing Dose of Cooperation in Rough Political Waters
In a time when friendships across party lines are often rare, Fetterman’s story offers a glimpse of what bipartisan cooperation can look like—a willingness to put country over party and recognize shared values even among political opponents.